BRAND NAME(S): Col-Benemid

USES: This medication is a combination of probenecid and colchicine. It is used to prevent gout and gouty arthritis in people who have frequent severe gout attacks. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. When uric acid levels in the blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints. Usually gout symptoms develop suddenly and involve only one or a few joints. The big toe, knee, or ankle joints are most often affected.Probenecid belongs to a class of drugs known as uricosurics. It works by speeding up the removal of uric acid by your kidneys. This decreases uric acid in the blood. Colchicine works by decreasing swelling and lessening the build up of uric acid crystals that cause pain in the affected joint(s).This combination product is not a pain medication. You should not begin treatment with this medication during a sudden gout attack (flare). Doing so may worsen your pain during the attack. Follow your doctor's directions for treating a sudden/severe gout attack before you start taking this product.This product should not be used in children younger than 2 years.